Generally, Edison and his assistants tested
different materials for the components the cell packing
. Significantly, with its preponderance of
experimenters trained science, the storage battery project
differed from previous inventions which Edison had used a
mixture college men and mechanics. From there, Edison had his researchers vary one
component the cell and conduct tests until they obtained
optimal results. his insistence, his staff cast
a worldwide net, consulting not only American but also English,
French, and German sources. the spring 1899,
he assembled research team selecting men already work
at the lab and hiring new group professional chemists
and engineers. 2
undertook his own investigations. Through this search, Edison learned
that other inventors and scientists had identified alternatives
to the lead-acid battery and kept their work mind he
. Large supplies chemicals were purchased and stored in
3
Building and the third floor Building 5.2
over scientific and engineering journals collect information
about all types batteries.
Edison started this team off having them investigate
the familiar electrochemical combination the primary
battery.
After searching the literature for about nine months,
Edison was ready begin experimenting. Consisting about a
dozen experimenters, this team worked primarily Building 2,
where each man was assigned table. For his own experiments,
Edison set laboratory bench the back room Building
2
